Five years after the Sandy Hook massacre, a clear majority of American voters say Congress is not doing enough to reduce gun violence, according to a new poll.The Quinnipiac University poll of 1,230 voters conducted from Dec. 13-18 also found that more women than men support stricter gun laws, and that a majority of Americans favor a ban on gun modifications that render semi-automatic firearms capable of shooting like automatic weapons.“The horror of Sandy Hook still resonates, especially with women,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Q Poll, in a prepared statement. “But while Americans are crying out for tougher gun laws, the consensus is that Congress is sitting on its hands.”Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy agreed.“The only place common-sense gun reforms are controversial is in Congress,” said Murphy, a Democrat. “Congress should listen to the majority of American people who want us to do our jobs and start passing laws that will save lives.”The poll also asked topical questions, such as whether people think 2018 would be more peaceful than this year — 73 percent said it wouldn’t — and seasonal questions, such as whether saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” is a real concern or a made-up one; 76 percent said it’s made up for political purposes.But with the passage of Dec. 14 — the date in 2012 when 20 first-graders and six educators were slain at Sandy Hook School — the poll’s authors highlighted four questions specifically about gun control.The poll found that:Voters support stricter gun laws 59-36 percent, with women supporting more gun control, 69-26 percent, while men are evenly split over the issue , 47-47.Voters believe Congress is not doing enough to reduce gun violence, 67-25 percent, although Republicans in the poll believe Congress is doing enough by 48-38 percent margin.Voters support a ban on gun modifications that make semi-automatic weapons fire like automatic weapons, 68-27 percent.By a wide margin, 95-4 percent, voters favor background checks for all gun purchases, including voters from gun-owning homes, 95-4 percent.An advocate for gun law reform said the poll results confirmed that people wanted more measures to ensure the safe use of firearms.“This information does not surprise me at all,” said Po Murray, chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance. “There is more support from Americans for gun violence prevention than not, and it is just a matter of time before Congress understands that, or people will demand it and vote Congress out of office.”Sen. Richard Blumenthal agreed.“Americans overwhelmingly support common sense gun violence prevention measures — a fact proven again in this poll,” said Blumenthal, a Democrat. “Voters are right to be frustrated by Congressional inaction — I am too. Good ideas, when backed by the vast majority of Americans, must ultimately prevail.”

NEWTOWN, Conn. —

Five years after the Sandy Hook massacre, a clear majority of American voters say Congress is not doing enough to reduce gun violence, according to a new poll.

The Quinnipiac University poll of 1,230 voters conducted from Dec. 13-18 also found that more women than men support stricter gun laws, and that a majority of Americans favor a ban on gun modifications that render semi-automatic firearms capable of shooting like automatic weapons.

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“The horror of Sandy Hook still resonates, especially with women,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Q Poll, in a prepared statement. “But while Americans are crying out for tougher gun laws, the consensus is that Congress is sitting on its hands.”

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy agreed.

“The only place common-sense gun reforms are controversial is in Congress,” said Murphy, a Democrat. “Congress should listen to the majority of American people who want us to do our jobs and start passing laws that will save lives.”

The poll also asked topical questions, such as whether people think 2018 would be more peaceful than this year — 73 percent said it wouldn’t — and seasonal questions, such as whether saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” is a real concern or a made-up one; 76 percent said it’s made up for political purposes.

But with the passage of Dec. 14 — the date in 2012 when 20 first-graders and six educators were slain at Sandy Hook School — the poll’s authors highlighted four questions specifically about gun control.

The poll found that:Voters support stricter gun laws 59-36 percent, with women supporting more gun control, 69-26 percent, while men are evenly split over the issue , 47-47.

An advocate for gun law reform said the poll results confirmed that people wanted more measures to ensure the safe use of firearms.

“This information does not surprise me at all,” said Po Murray, chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance. “There is more support from Americans for gun violence prevention than not, and it is just a matter of time before Congress understands that, or people will demand it and vote Congress out of office.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal agreed.

“Americans overwhelmingly support common sense gun violence prevention measures — a fact proven again in this poll,” said Blumenthal, a Democrat. “Voters are right to be frustrated by Congressional inaction — I am too. Good ideas, when backed by the vast majority of Americans, must ultimately prevail.”